On Faith and Social Justice

So I got to go to this conference on "Faith and International Development" at Calvin College this weekend. I have to say I really enjoyed it. I thought I would share a few notes that I took about development and social justice.

Notes from Aba Mpesha (Tanzanian prof. at Calvin)

Christian Development

• increasing the quality of lives of people
• people doing it themselves
• can not be done without the Almighty

He gave a very good analogy about our role in development
- Push starting a manual car. Development is pushing the car, not driving and offering a ride.

He also talked very passionate about getting rid of segregation. He believes that until segregation is greatly eliminated development will not be fruitful.

Jose Ramon Alcantar on transformation

"Transformation may begin by addressing the basic needs of a community, but the aim is to integrate all the dimensions of human life, so that they process the spiritual reality and from their move towards the celebration of a new life and a new creation."

"Transformation is a process that proposes the construction of alternatives to the destructive ways of the world."

• Rather than responding to evils with violence transformation promotes redemption and reconciliation between people and their natural and social environment
• Does not depend on the acheivement of goals but on the continual involvment of people in the transformation of others
• This requires constant reflection on experience and on Biblical truths

Kent Hill on Mother Teresa

"The integrity of her life allowed her to have convictions."

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"If you have come to help us, you are wasting your time. But, if you have come because your liberation is bound up with our liberation, let us work together."
-Lili Watson, aborigonal Australian Woman

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Those are just a few notes I took. It really helpes me to reflect on these things. If anybody else who was at the conference has something to share please do.